10DLC throughput and carrier limits

Complete reference for understanding message throughput limits, carrier-specific rate limits, and how Infobip handles message throttling for 10DLC campaigns.

What is throughput?

Throughput is the maximum rate at which messages can be delivered over a communication channel. For 10DLC, throughput is measured as:

• AT&T: Transactions per minute (TPM) - separate limits for SMS and MMS
• T-Mobile: Maximum daily message volume - total messages per day across all campaigns for a brand

Carriers enforce throughput limits based on your brand verification status, vetting score, and campaign type. Exceeding these limits results in message throttling (automatic queuing) rather than delivery failures.

Why throughput matters [#why-throughput-matters-what-is-throughput]

Different carriers assign different throughput limits based on:

• Brand status: Verified, unverified, or vetted brands receive different limits
• Vetting score: Higher scores qualify for higher throughput tiers
• Russell 3000 status: Public companies listed on Russell 3000 receive premium throughput
• Campaign type: Use case and campaign classification affect limits
• Message type: SMS and MMS have different rate limits

AT&T message classes and throughput

AT&T uses a message class system to determine throughput. Your campaign is assigned a message class (A-Z) based on your use case and campaign type, which determines your transactions per minute (TPM) limit.

AT&T throughput table [#att-throughput-table-att-message-classes-and-throughput]

Note: Use cases are examples only. You may receive lower or higher throughput for your particular use case and campaign type.

Reference: See AT&T's Code of Conduct ↗ for additional information.

T-Mobile throughput and daily volume limits

T-Mobile assigns a maximum daily message volume based on your brand registration status and vetting score. The daily volume limit applies to all messages sent under the registered brand across all campaigns.

T-Mobile throughput table [#t-mobile-throughput-table-t-mobile-throughput-and-daily-volume-limits]

Russell 3000: Public companies listed on the Russell 3000 Index receive higher throughput (200,000 messages per day) without third-party vetting.

Third-party vetting: Request vetting to improve your score and qualify for higher daily volumes (up to 200,000 messages per day).

Reference: See T-Mobile's Code of Conduct ↗ for additional information.

Message throttling and queuing

When you approach or exceed carrier throughput limits, Infobip automatically handles throttling to ensure message delivery without failures.

How throttling works [#how-throttling-works-message-throttling-and-queuing]

Error codes [#error-codes-message-throttling-and-queuing]

Benefits of automatic queuing [#benefits-of-automatic-queuing-message-throttling-and-queuing]

• Messages are reliably delivered without requiring manual retry logic
• No interruption to your sending workflow
• Infobip handles throttling logic transparently in the background
• Proactive monitoring ensures messages are sent at the earliest opportunity

Checking your campaign's throughput

To view the throughput limits assigned to your campaign, use the USA Number Registration API:

Get Campaign Network Statuses:

This returns carrier-specific information including:

• Assigned message class (for AT&T)
• Assigned daily volume limit (for T-Mobile)
• Brand tier classification
• Per-carrier approval status

For complete API documentation, see: USA Number Registration API - Campaign Network Statuses

Improving your throughput

Request brand vetting [#request-brand-vetting-improving-your-throughput]

Higher vetting scores qualify for better throughput tiers, especially with T-Mobile (up to 200,000 messages per day with score 75 or higher).

Standard vetting:

• Automated scoring (0 to 100)
• Improves AT&T and T-Mobile throughput assignments (not guaranteed)

Enhanced vetting:

• Manual specialist review with detailed report
• Provides higher scores and better throughput tiers
• Available if standard vet score is unsatisfactory

For complete vetting guidance, see: Brand vetting

Optimize campaign type [#optimize-campaign-type-improving-your-throughput]

Campaign classification affects AT&T message class assignment. Choosing the right campaign type (transactional, marketing, mixed) impacts your TPM limit.

Special cases

Political campaigns [#political-campaigns-special-cases]

• AT&T: Throttling still applies (message class K)
• T-Mobile: Throttling is NOT applied for political campaigns

Russell 3000 companies [#russell-3000-companies-special-cases]

Public companies listed on the Russell 3000 Index automatically receive TOP tier status with T-Mobile (200,000 messages per day) without requiring third-party vetting.

Learn more

• Brand vetting. Complete vetting procedures and requirements
  
• Understanding brands. Brand creation and status management
  
• Understanding 10DLC. 10DLC concepts and registration process
  
• USA SMS compliance requirements. CTIA standards and carrier compliance
  
• USA Number Registration API. Complete API documentation